Our Videos

March 13, 12

NEWS / New UN agreement seeks to protect environment from hazardous electronic waste


13 March 2012 –
A new United Nations agreement seeks to diminish the damage caused by electronic waste through the collection and recycling of hazardous materials, as well as by introducing measures to improve the ways in which this equipment is managed.

According to the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU), electronic waste is expected to grow exponentially, particularly in developing countries, yet only 13 per cent of electronic waste is recycled, many times without safety procedures in place.

The agreement, which was signed between the ITU and the Secretariat of the Basel Convention (SBC), intends to strengthen collaboration between information and communications technology (ICT) and environmental policymakers to address this issue.

“The ICT sector is already making significant progress in improving its environmental performance and reducing e-waste through improved best practices and standards,” said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré.

“The collaboration with the Secretariat of the Basel Convention will allow the global community to address this ever-increasing problem through a holistic approach, involving the recycling industry as well as environmental policy makers.”

Electronic waste, which contains toxic materials used in the manufacturing process, can cause widespread damage to the environment and human health. Through the agreement, which was signed yesterday, ITU and SBC will exchange information and practices and will work on joint projects and programmes to set ICT standards and raise awareness among countries about electronic waste management.

“ICT equipment has to be dealt with in view of its entire life-cycle, and this includes the time when the equipment comes to its end-of-life and becomes e-waste,” said Jim Willis, Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention.

“Collaboration between ITU and SBC will further our shared objectives in support of sustainable development that essentially includes environmentally sound management of waste.”

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41530&Cr=technology&Cr1=

 




Testimonials

Niranjan Sujay
I recently used LOGOS INTERNATIONAL for the translation of my bachelor’s certificate, and I couldn’t...
Read More »
Katia Nagata

As a foreigner, I needed a certified translation, so I called the DOE to give me a list of the ce...
Read More »
AnnaMaria Realbuto
Thank you for all your assistance and efficiency...
Read More »
Kateryna Melnychenko
Thanks a lot Anton!...
Read More »




FAQ

How Is Chilean Sea Bass Currently Managed?
Read More »
What is the Bureau of International Labor Affairs?
Read More »
WHAT IS AN "APOSTILLE"?
Read More »
Q. How do I effect service on an agency or instrumentality of a foreign State (28 U.S.C. 1608(b)?
Read More »






News

May 7, 25
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signs bill adding gender marker to death certificates
Read More »
May 6, 25
Implementation of Real ID acts puts Florida woman without birth certificate in bureaucratic limbo
Read More »
April 30, 25
US citizen charged with being “unauthorized alien” despite possessing US birth certificate
Read More »
April 23, 25
Pope Francis died of stroke and irreversible heart failure – death certificate
Read More »